WB Minister visits Jatropha plantations in AP

Eluru, Andhra pradesh, Jan 19 (UNI) West Bengal Minister of South West Development Sushant Ghosh today visited the Jatropha plantation nursery at Ramasingavaram village in Andhra Pradesh.

He was accompanied by Commissioner of West Bengal's South-West Development Department Balbir Ram and West Godavari District Collector Lav Agarwal.

Speaking on the ocasion, Mr Ghosh said alternative energy sources should be developed by taking up the Jatropha plantations. Jatropha plantations could be cultivated even in rocky-soils in the district.

The farmers explained to him about the cultivation of Jatropha through drip irrigation system.

Mr Lav explained to the Minister that by producing jatropha seeds the beneficiary would get Rs 12,000 per acre per annum. The government had taken up the jatropha plantations in the lands distributed under Indira Prabha Scheme, which was envisaged to develop the lands, he explained.

He said the government had already announced Rs six as minimum support price for per kilogram of Jatropha seed.